On September 29, 1982, a 12 year old named Mary Kellerman, from Elk Grove Village, Illinois, died after taking a capsule of extra-strength Tylenol. Adam Janus, 27, from Arlington Heights, Illinois, died in the hospital later that day after he had taken Tylenol. Adam’s brother Stanley, who was 25, and his sister in law, Theresa, who was 19, of Lisle, Illinois both died after taking Tylenol from the same bottle that day.
Within a few days more reports of death from people were happening in Illinois, and all of the victims had one thing in common: they had taken a capsule of Tylenol shortly before their deaths.
Mary McFarland who was 31 of Elmhurst, Illinois, Paula Prince who was 35, of Chicago, and Mary Reiner, who was 27 of Winfield all died after taking Tylenol was well.
Tests were soon carried out on the Tylenol that the victims had ingested and it didn’t take long to discover that cyanide had been put in the capsules. Warnings of this were issued out in the media and patrols using loudspeakers, begging those in the Chicago metropolitan area to stop using Tylenol products.
The Tylenol products with cyanide were found to be manufactured at two different locations, one in Pennsylvania and another in Texas, suggesting that the capsules had been tampered with after they had been placed on the shelves for purchase. Police theorized that someone had taken bottles off the shelves of local stores in the Chicago area, placed potassium cyanide in some of the capsules, and then placed the packages back on the shelves.
There were 5 contaminated bottles that led to the victim’s deaths and a few others were later found in the Chicago area. Johnson & Johnson distributed warnings to hospitals and distributors and halted the production of Tylenol. There was a nationwide recall of Tylenol products were issued on October 5, 1982, and an estimated 31 million bottles were in circulation with a retail value of over $100 million US.
The company advertised in the media for individuals not to consume any of their products that contained acetaminophen, after it was determined that only these capsules had been tampered with. Johnson & Johnson offered to exchange all Tylenol capsules already purchased by the public for solid tablets.
During the investigation, a man named James William Lewis was accused of sending a letter to Johnson & Johnson demanding $1 million to stop the cyanide murders. He was arrested, tried and convicted of extortion and sentenced to 10 years in prison. During his trial, attorneys claimed that Lewis only intended to focus the attention of authorities on his wife’s former employer.
Court documents released in 2009 showed that the Department of Justice investigators concluded that Lewis was responsible, though they did not have enough evidence to charge him. In January 2010, both Lewis and his wife submitted DNA samples and fingerprints to authorities. Lewis continues to deny all responsibility.
A man named Roger Arnold was investigated for having a role in the Tylenol murders but had been cleared. He had a nervous breakdown due to media attention, which he blamed on Marty Sinclair, a bar owner. In 1983, Arnold had shot and killed a man named John Stanisha, a man who he mistook for Marty Sinclair. Arnold was convicted in January 1984, and served 15 of a 30 year sentence for second degree murder. He died in June 2008.
Laurie Dann, who had poisoned and shot a number of people in a May 1988 rampage around Winnetka, Illinois, was briefly considered a suspect but there was no direct connection ever found to connect.
In 1983, at the FBI’s request, a Chicago Tribune columnist named Bob Greene, published the address and grave location of the first victim, Mary Kellerman. A story was written and proposed by FBI criminal analyst, John Douglas, who theorized that the perpetrator might visit the house or gravesite if he was made aware of where they were located. Both sites were kept under surveillance for several months but the killer never showed up.
There was a surveillance photo of victim Paula Prince buying the cyanide Tylenol at a Walgreens at 1601 North Wells St was released by the police, as they believe a bearded man seen just feet being Paula in the photo may be the killer.
In January 2009, Illinois authorities renewed the investigation and federal agents searched Lewis’ home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They seized a number of items in the search.
On May 19, 2011, the FBI requested DNA samples from Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, in connection with the Chicago Tylenol murders. Kaczynski denied having any possession of potassium cyanide. The first 4 Unabomber crimes happened in Chicago and its suburbs from 1978 to 1980, and Kaczynski’s parents had lived in a home in Lombard, Illinois in 1982, where he would occasionally stay.
In 1986, three deaths occurred from tampered gelatin capsules. A woman in Yonkers, New York died after ingesting extra-strength Tylenol capsules that were laced with cyanide. In Washington, excedrin capsules had been tampered with, which resulted in the deaths of Susan Snow and Bruce Nickell from cyanide poisoning. Bruce’s wife, Stella Nickell, was eventually arrested and convicted for her connection to both of the murders.
Also in 1986, Procter & Gamble’s Encaprin was recalled after a spiking hoax in Chicago and Detroit resulted in a sales drop and withdrawal of the pain reliever from the market.
In 1986, University of Texas student, Kenneth Faries, was found dead in his apartment from cyanide poisoning. Anacin capsules that had been tampered with were found to be the source of the cyanide that was found in his body. Kenneth’s death was ruled a homicide on May 30, 1986. On June 19, 1986, the medical examiner ruled his death likely a suicide. The FDA determined that Kenneth had obtained the poison from a lab where he worked.
Johnson & Johnson received positive coverage for how they handled the crisis. Not only did they recall the products, they also ensured established relations with the police department, the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration. This way they could help to search for the person who tampered with the capsules and to prevent further tampering. During the time this happened, the company’s market share collapsed from 35% to 8%, but it rebounded in less than a year.
Johnson & Johnson reintroduced their capsules in a new, triple-sealed package, with price promotions and within a few years Tylenol regained the highest market share for the over-the-counter analgesic in the US.
The 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murders inspired industries to develop tamper-resistent packaging, such as induction seals. Product tampering also became a federal crime. These new laws resulted in Stella Nickell to be sentenced to 90 years in prison.
The pharmaceutical industry also began to move away from capsules, as they were easy to contaminate. This led to the replacement of the capsule with the solid caplet, a tablet in the shape of a capsule as a drug delivery form with the addition of tamper-evident safety seals to bottles.
Because the Tylenol murders happened in late September 1982, people began to fear that they would unknowingly purchase poisoned Halloween candy. Some communities tried to discourage trick-or-treating, and grocery stores reported that candy sales were down more than 20%.
The Chicago Tylenol murders remain unsolved after 39 years.
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WARNINGS: Contains spoilers from the TFAWS episode 1: New world order, Implied mature content, Mentions of Signs of depression. This is my first time ever writing anything, I’m open to constructive criticism.
“Thank you, Captain America, but this belongs to you.”
Whispers. Applause.
Sounds of people murmuring. All blinded down by flashes, cheering and gossip. Maybe, it was true to the fact that, you didn’t know him better or you didn’t want to push him further. You stayed with him all through the event.
Y/N: Let me know when you’re free, we need to talk.
It was humid. Bright flash of lightning followed before thunder. Sounds of crickets filled the void, with dark clouds looming across the sky. It was almost midnight, very few people out in the public was more of a reason, as to why you wanted to eat from take-out with Sam.
Silence. Something that you thought was always comfortable between you two, was now suffocating. None of you spoke, all throughout the late evening, you two were together.
Both of you walked down the cobbled streets, you felt like Sam was zoning in and out, as he was finally talking about something.
His most recent mission. It was his favorite part of the conversations. The story telling part was always the best. It was different today. Your gaze swept over his body, taking in his rigid tense shoulders, you remembered leaning on all through the years as a shoulder to literally cry on, the good-morning shoulder kisses to wake him up and laced with the memories of gripping them on during your intense love-making sessions.
It felt harder to breathe. You physically wanted to rub your chest to alleviate the tightness. You wanted to hug the man whom you had loved all these years, reassure him and help him out. You couldn’t pretend anymore. You had had enough.
“What is it Sam?”, you stopped right on your tracks between the narrow alleys on your way back to the lodge that you were currently staying in. You didn’t tell him that you were staying all alone, because that would end up making him feel more guilty of the situation you were in right now.
It took some time for Sam to realize that you are not tagging along with him anymore, “Are you okay?”, Sam turned around with a concerned expression, almost blinding down all the dismal feelings that you were having currently.
“I think, I should be asking you that. You are not yourself Sam.” Stoic expression on your face implied the seriousness of the situation.
Awkwardly shifting weight from one leg to another he looked down, with brows furrowed to your shoes. “It’s nothing. I’m good.”, with little too much enthusiasm on his face, that almost looked like the pained Harold meme. Or maybe you were studying on the situation too much.
Yeah, of course.
“I can’t do this Sam. I just, cannot do this anymore.” He realized what you meant. His gaze was stuck on the ground, like he was preparing himself for the bomb to drop. You wanted to reassure him, but when he explained you time and again on how he did things the way he wanted, you didn’t want to invade in. You knew how it felt.
“You wanted space, decided to break up and I pretended that I was, all fine with it. Neither you nor your sister have ever considered me as one of yours. In all these five years I tried my best to aid her out of the financial situation, she never budged in. I guess it’s something that has got to do with the Wilson’s genes.” Your shoulders slumped down, as you sighed. You physically kept yourself rooted yourself on the spot. The smell of damp earth was creeping in.
It took all in you to not have this conversation with him all these years, but it was taking a toll. You didn’t want to be his pity party anymore. You knew that in all these years of your relationship, a part of him was guilty about the fact that you were younger than him by several years and he didn’t want to ruin your future.
“What were you thinking Sam? Were you waiting for me to walk away?”, trying to read his expression through his eyes, you couldn’t do this anymore, act like it was none of your business and just walk away. Clenching fists into the cardigan pocket, the blank check was burning, hoping that it would help you drown in.
People respect boundaries, right?
What made you confused was the fact that, you always felt like Sam was giving you mixed signals. He looked guilt ridden, confused and in emotional turmoil, when he always initiated that he wanted to end your relationship. This was all new for you. You had taken down several hydra bases and dealt with the bad guys, but this-- this was complicated.
Waiting for him to speak up, for what felt like an eternity, the time indeed had slowed down. Natasha always guided you through situations whenever it felt like she needed to, you always thought it was toxic but you missed Nat.
Blinking down the tears, you shoved the blank check into his jacket draped over his unmoving stance. “Consider this as my break-up gift, I can’t do this anymore.”, walking past him back to the cold empty floor, back in your motel room. Maybe you didn’t want to do missions with him anymore.
Maybe this was you walking towards your destination all alone, maybe you were meant to be alone.
Maybe someone did this to us? Maybe we're all on the same record just waiting for our time, maybe the wrong time, maybe someone tampered with it. So many questions and so little time so tell me why are we still doing this?
Warnings: Spoilers for TFAWS. Mentions of blood, alcohol poisoning, graphic mentions of violence. This is the first time I'm ever writing something like this, so I'm open to constructive criticism.
Word count: 4.3 k ish.
Read Part 1 and Part 2 here.
2000
Dull pain thrummed between your eyes as the butt of the gun connected your forehead, almost making your vision black. It felt like needles pricking the skin all at once. You had to finish the mission. Your recovered, maintaining your balance back again, ignoring the pulsing pain, gripping the knife tucked in behind the belt, you dodged the punch aimed at your gut. You kicked your feet off the wall behind, as the boost gave you enough height to strike down the enemy, slashing his neck open right by the artery. Killing the very last attacker in the room. He slumps down with a thud, with blood splaying everywhere.
As the adrenaline rush wearied off, you were hungry now rather than being nervous about your mission. It was your duty to clear off the path for the Soldat and always look behind his back, just in case. More like a worm pierced onto the fishing hook for fishing. It was more like being assigned to be a bait for clearing the path.
You had to report back to the assigned rendezvous point, as you were told to be, but hunger made your ears ring. You did not have time to dwell upon in the middle of the mission, but the sweet aroma of freshly baked, warm bread and the sight of a boy around your age licking his fingers as he gobbled down plum pie definitely wanted you to think twice. Searing waves of hunger pangs hit, subconsciously leading your feet towards the boy. Hearing another set of footsteps approaching, you tried to shimmy behind the garbage bin behind, only to be yanked out by the man you never wanted to deal with.
The Soldat.
He looked down at you with his eyes reflecting no expression behind the mask. He dragged you by your hand as you protested.
“Let me go!” you trashed in, kicking and grunting against his firm grip.
‘Салдат, принеси с собой цечку, немедленно.,’ You heard the voice on the other side through the earpiece.
“N-No, No, I don’t want to go, it is so dark and p—please.” Blood was rushing to your head all at once, pulsing every beat. You didn’t want to go back. You wanted to stall as the feeling of fear overwhelmed sank into the gut.
Confusion was written all over his face; you could sense his hesitation. Previous mission with the Soldat ended up with him screaming for minutes in pain and agony when he had disobeyed. The people in the base never threatened but always made sure that you were present during the electroconvulsive therapy and when he was kept in cryo till the next session.
Shifting weight from one leg to another, your heart lurched, and your stomach tugged as you were closer to the destination. He was bruised and was limping by the time he had found you, but now he was straight up rigid, listening to the command. You remembered his gut-wrenching screams piercing in, and he took you back to the rendezvous point before the cleaning crew showed up.
“I’m sorry. I was just fascinated by this. I don’t know what to call it, but this part seems to be important. Who is Nakajima?” where he was pressing all the wrong buttons. Zemo was one of those only men; you were eager to know what was going on in his head.
Here he was playing the role of sugar-daddy, prodding over. What was more important was how Bucky never told you that your neighbour Nakajima was one of the people on the list of his amends. It was on you that you had expected him to tell you; he had no obligation that he had to.
“If you touch that again, I’ll kill you.” Bucky let-go of Zemo’s neck.
Sam visibly tensed up, looking at them, “I’m sorry. I understand that list of names. People you’ve wronged as the Winter Soldier.”
So, this was the reason why he wanted to move in.
Part of you was disappointed, but you had no right to have expectations. It was his own decision, and you had to respect it.
On the other hand, it was Zemo. It made you wondering for a while about how he was able to sit in the same room as you did. He should be angry, angry for rotting in prison after avenging his family’s death. This guy was surely a good spy and was very skilled; this was another reason you had to keep an eye on him.
Zemo devised a plan, laying out different people to meet in and around, starting from Madripoor. The city that had loose laws hence had better leverage for things to go according to him.
“It’s kept its lawless ways. But we cannot exactly walk in as ourselves. James, you will have to become someone you claim is gone.” Zemo let Bucky know.
“That is not going to work.”, this plan was going to fail; Bucky can become the Winter Soldier but cannot act like one.
“And why would you say that?” his interest piqued. He obviously knew this better than anyone else. If this was one of his mind-games to rile you up, it was not happening anymore.
“Well, it was something that he was conditioned to do in his subconscious. Not in his real-time. He does not know to pretend like one.”
“Alas, we do not have a better plan, do we?” he replied back.
Knives, Check.
Guns, Check.
You found yourself scrolling aimlessly through the local television, making sure that your eyes did not skitter over to the suit that was draped over him, fitting neat and tight.
Holy fucking shit.
You had to physically make sure that you were not watching him, straining your vision onto the screen. He looked like a mafia drug lord. You knew that you would be floored if he had opted to wear the shirt with his sleeves rolled up. You wanted to have more of the Sambal and rice that was served in the morning. The appetite had appeared out of nowhere.
“Alright, I’ll be leaving now. Ping me when you’re done with your business or in case of an emergency. I’ll be looking over from the second floor, from the lodge opposite to the pub.” Part of you did not trust Zemo, but you were sure that Sam and Bucky would be able to handle themselves.
Mentally slapped yourself, ignoring the looks thrown at you. All of this would be over for once and all if the plan had worked out, and you would tell Sam that you would be leaving.
Putting the food on the plate you waited, you made sure that table was all set up before Sam came back from his jog. Things were awkward, to say the least, and tiring as well. You couldn’t care less about how people showed false compassion at Nat’s funeral, making you roll your eyes. One thing that always made you regret that you did not have anything that belonged to Nat other than her memories. Everything had burned down once Bruce snapped, even before the team could comprehend her death. It was so unfair that everything that belonged to her had been destroyed, wiping out her entire existence as if she had never existed in the first place.
Another headache was pulsing in, beating in the hollow space with every heartbeat. You heard the door slam shut, reminding you that Sam had indeed returned from the run. Here you were, preparing breakfast, soaking in the domesticity in the world where she was already forgotten. She deserved to live, live a good life after all of this with Steve. Sunlight shimmying into the house made it look like the future that you had always wanted. This was too good to be true; the team was still recovering from the loss.
Sam and you both were still managing to barely keep the relationship tied together as the honeymoon phase after the blip had ended. The real world was settling in. You had seen him struggling to set into the new world, where people had moved on without him. You tried your best to ignore it because it always ended with ‘let me handle it’ ending the conversation.
“Hey, are you listening to me?”, He asked digging in, looking over for a response. “I said that the food is delicious. It is terrific.”, He reassured after seeing you cock an eyebrow.
“I appreciate it, Sammy.”, you smiled, remembering how Nat opened up to you saying that she always wanted a family with Steve, wanted a life, a life that you were living now.
“Hey, look at me.”, he hooked your chin with his finger, lifting up. “Thinking about her is not going to bring her back alright, but you can talk to me. I’m right here. It is okay, not to be okay.”, He looked at you with all sincerity that he could muster.
All you wanted was to scoff, scoff at how he was always ready to help others but dealt with his problems all by himself.
“They were supposed to get married!”, This was when the heaviness in chest grew heavy. He was physically taken back by the new information. Maybe he didn’t know about it yet.
Shit.
“And really, Sammy? I could say the same to you. I get it, alright. I get it that we both are going through a tough phase, but I have wanted to say the same to you. All you say is ‘I can do this and shut me out.” You emphasize with your fingers, seeing his tense shoulders.
“You are so careful around me all the time that you physically look like you’re embracing yourself for shit to collapse.”, This was it; you had been waiting for weeks to say this. You saw his jaw tick with all the tension that he had been gritting in and holding back.
“N-no, No, I don’t want to go in there. Do you understand? I get what you are trying to say, but it is just that I need some time to open up about everything. The world did not wait for anyone and has been running even in all those five years.”, He said, pointing at the window.
“I need some time, m’kay? I need some time to adjust to all of this.”, He was ambiguous.
“This is how our relationship is, Sammy. We don’t talk. This-this is why you are always on alert mode whenever you are with me because you think you have to keep reasoning every time anything happens. Y-You also think that you’re better off without telling anyone about your problems.”, Emphasising the conversation, you sat looking dead in his eyes. This flared anger in him, flickering like a spark staring out a fire.
“Why does every conversation we have, has to end up about our relationship? And no, you’re wrong this time; it is not that I don’t want to talk to you about it. It is just that I need some time.”, He reasoned, trying to explain, taking deep breaths.
You both had arguments almost every single day. It was emotionally exhausting. You could not imagine what he must be going through now that everything had resumed.
“This is what I am talking about. We both have grown out of this relationship, and we have different opinions, which is absolutely fine.”, He was positive, scrapping the chair away. “But I need a break; I need a break from all of this. It is just that you and I are dealing with different things, and I’m tired of explaining this to you every time.”, He said with certainty.
It really did take some time for his words to sink in, but he was crystal clear. He approached you, instantly regretting his words.
“You’re right, Sam.”, You stared aimlessly, getting up.
“H-Hey, I did not mean it.”, his voice dropped, lacing with sadness, looking at you.
“Stay there and sit down; this is your house.”, you emphasized, motioning him. He looked distraught as seriousness stetted in.
“No, Wilson. I understand; you are right. We need a break, and this is not working out because we both need time. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I was selfish and insensitive about what you are going through right now.”, Sighing you carried yourself to pack up, ignoring the headache pounding in. He didn’t deserve any of it. He deserved someone better than this.
“It is just that I’m not in the right headspace right now. I’m sorry.” You repeated again, walking out. You were too afraid to think how different life would have been if the snap had never happened. Simultaneously, you imagined how Nat would have cussed you back and forth for ruining your relationship.
“Hey James, do you have a spare room to crash in for few days?”, You whispered into the phone, hearing the beep sound.
Before you knew, you saw Zemo, Sam, and Bucky scrambling around, confused. You sighed, loading your gun, firing off people who were attacking them right away. Another line of fire came out of the window beside yours, halting immediately after the attackers were down.
What the hell?
“Wow, look at you all dressed down to take out the bad guys.”, you had sensed her but not this close. Maybe you were getting slow.
You looked up at the women, who had saved Steve and Sam back in the day. To be honest, you had forgotten about her and knew why she was ignorant about the whole situation, “I know why you’re all bitter. I’m sorry that we did not come back.”, you signified, raising up for hands, surrendering.
“Oh please, there is a difference. It is always easy for people like you to say ‘sorry’ not knowing what someone else had to go through.”, Sharon scoffed, pointing the gun.
You were also curious about what she was going to do further, as she pressed the gun to for back, guiding you to lead the way. The whole situation turned around when Sharon agreed to help in for the next lead.
Sam looked far by uncomfortable as he tugged his collar out for more air. He was sweltering down as he reached the condo.
“What’s wrong, Sam?”, You asked as he looked like he was going to collapse, unable to walk. He huffed, struggling to take out the phone that was buzzing in his pant pocket.
“Wait, let me take it out for you.”, You knew that something was wrong, but you did not want to use your powers to find out without his consent. You heard his breath hitch as you moved closer to him.
This was definitely weird.
“Just do it soon.”, His voice turned hoarse, gritting his teeth. He visibly shivered as you skimmed your fingers into the pocket to take out his phone. It was Sarah. You saw his eyes glistening as he grabbed his phone, walking straight into the room, shutting the door with a loud bang.
You almost heard Bucky snort, making you sharply turn around in his direction. What had happened down there, pushing Sam into a situation like this?
“Bucky, what did you do?” you marched as Sharon huffed, settling down to look at the show you all were putting up.
“I-I didn’t do anything. It was not me, okay.”, He stammered, with his eyes wide. He was practically pressing himself into the sofa.
“It was wine. The snake wine he drank.”, Zemo quipped in, shifting your attention.
“What? What on the fresh hell is a snake wine?” you were bewildered, to say in the least.
You heard, Oh-s and Aah-s, as Sharon spoke up, “Snake wine is assumed to be an aphrodisiac and is believed to make people strong.”, She said, gesturing at her biceps.
“It is a what?!”
“Hey, calm down, listen to me; I’ll arrange someone to buy sex toys with lots of food and hydration. It can go on for hours, but who knows.”, She nodded looking at you.
“Okay”
“No wonder he couldn’t run in those heels.”, Bucky muttered, looking around, shifting around.
You all discussed your next lead that was tipped off in the bar, hearing Sam throw up. This was not a good sign.
“Bucky, please hand me over the medicine kit. I’ll take care of him.”, You rushed in, locking the door.
The whole room was a mess, with everything strewn all over the place. The acrid smell of vomit filled in your lungs as you saw a tired Sam collapsed on the floor.
Oh my god.
“Sammy, hey, look at me.”, you were trying to shake him into consciousness. His eyes were rimmed red as he looked at you. Wiping him down with a warm washcloth, you could feel pain rattle his lungs, and somehow, it had only become worse.
“Come on, Sammy.”, You helped him lay down on the bed, ignoring his burning skin. You knew what you had to do; he was just at the brink of passing out and threw up almost everything you tried to make him drink.
This was not a good sign; with the mind racing with endless possibilities, you did not want to be terrified. You had seen what death was, but looking at Sam right now, did make you remember when he was dusted away during the snap. Living through all the madness, running from one place to another, it was Sam who made you feel human.
“Sam, do you trust me?”, You knew that this was not entirely consensual, but he was only a human after all.
“I—I do. I do.”, he was dazed by all the alcohol and the dehydration.
Removing the wristwatch, you concentrated on the energy from the center, carmine red flickers spasmed through your palms. Pressing them to his warm chest, you imagined him healing from inside as you felt the energy radiating off his body.
He had visibly calmed down, looking down at you. “Is this how you saved Pietro?.,” He looked at you incredulously.
“What?” you were the one staring back in shock, moving away.
Oh no.
“Don’t worry, Wanda accidentally slipped when she was talking about Ultron, but I didn’t know you it was going to be something like this.”, he huffed. The furrow of his eyebrow explained for itself. He did not push it further as he got up to clean the mess, not looking back.
“Sam, I can explain,” “No Y/N, you don’t have to. You don’t owe one.”, He said, not looking up.
“Talk to me Sam, I know that look on your face. You’re angry.”, You tried talking to him, rushing on your feet, closer to him.
“I’m angry because I’m an idiot. Just like I said, you don’t owe me an explanation. I had my doubts after the blip when things were quickly found and how everything is always rearranged like the clappers. You look more alive than ever but older at the same time, and I don’t understand a damn thing.”, he said, chucking the sheets into the laundry basket.
“I did not want to tell it to anyone because I’m already an outcast for not being normal. People look at me in fear and disgust after knowing who I am.”, You tried explaining to him. This was wrong; finding out something like this made the situation worse.
“Look, I get it; I’m really thankful that you saved my life today.”, You signaled him to be quiet as you scanned around. Flares shimmered away from you throughout the room, creating dark midnight hues, with a glint of yellow flaring over them.
He looked more confused than ever.
“Ah, it keeps happening all the time. I don’t know why the colors keep changing, but this one is always prominent.”, you explained, gesturing at the blue orb.
“How long have you been doing this?”, he asked putting on his clothes.
“It was in 2012. I acquired them when I was trying to get Loki off from smuggling the tesseract. I don’t know how but I understood that he was possessed. I tried negotiating, talking sense into him. I told him that I knew what was going on and was trying to help him out. He told me that he would kill me, so I threatened to destroy the tesseract out of stupidity. One thing led to another, and I crushed it with his scepter. The next thing that I knew, that was I was in a hospital bed out for almost a month.” You summarized.
“Wait, and no one knew about it?” Sam was surprised processing in. “No signs of any radiation, damage, or anything?”
“No, it turned out that Loki had used his powers and transferred the blow to the other side of the portal. On the other hand, I did not show any remains of radiation. I don’t know how.”, he was more concerned.
“So, you’re saying that Loki’s intentions were not to destroy New York.”, He sat down, rubbing his palms together.
“No, it was Thanos. He had caught Loki wandering off in space when he committed suicide jumping off the rainbow bridge in Asgard. He made a negotiation by torturing Loki to bring Tesseract and the Septer to him.”
“Which is around two stones, right? Then why would he send Loki, when he could do the job himself?”, he was trying to come out with a possible explanation.
“I don’t know what his true intentions were, but when we’re doing our research on stones during the time heist, we came to a conclusion that he had done the same with the power stone as well. He negotiated with Ronan to wipe out half of Xandar in exchange for the power stone. He did the same thing with Loki too. Give him an army to invade and rule the earth in exchange for the stones.”
“So, this was more like killing two birds in a stone.”, he completed your sentence looking up at you.
“It was also another reason why I never initiated any interest, even though I really liked you a lot when you let us into your home for the first time.”, you confessed, picking upon the fabric of your pants.
“What?” he was letting the new information sink in.
“Technically, it was in the closet when we were trying to set up Steve and Nat together.”, You were feeling guilty that you did not give him any time to process the information.
“Do you regret it?”, He had an unreadable expression on his face.
“I regret a lot of things, Sam. You have to be more specific.”, From what life had thrown you into different situations, one thing that you were sure about having a life with normalcy was that you liked Sam. As a person, a friend, and someone you could rely upon.
“You know what I mean.”, the hardness in his stare threw you off. It was something that was never directed at you.
“I do, Sam. I do. Call it fate or whatever you want; I had hope before the blast had happened. Retire one day and have a normal life. I was convinced that I would not use my powers because I was tired of people exploiting me.”, There were times when blood samples were taken, right before and after having meals. It mostly ended up you hearing gossip about how the blood work always turned out to be normal as guards walked down the narrow corridor, assuming you were asleep.
“From H.Y.D.R.A.to SHEILD, I do not want anyone come after me, and then I met you.”, pinching out splinters from the window, you give yourself a second to continue. “I almost convinced myself that I would always avenge and fight for the rest of my life. This is going to sound really cheesy, you know?”
“It is all kinds of normal; that is what makes us human.” He was looking at the wool rug spread across the floor, nodding at you to continue.
Well then.
“When I met you, I started liking you throughout the years after we met. For who you are, you’re your maturity, goofiness with a pinch of cockiness that comes out every now and then, but you are also respectful at the same time.”
He was looking up at you with a calm look on his face. On the other hand, you were almost shaking because it was always him before the snap who initiated everything. Initiated talks, initiated to join into conversations when Steve and Nat bickered around, initiated to go out for a date in Wakanda and the night you two had before the battle. This was new, but the burden of carrying all of these secrets alleviated your shoulders; maybe this could give you closure. Closure on how you can never change what had happened but only move on.
‘One step at a time,’ like Steve said.
“It is just- I was so scared, I guess. I was not decisive, and my feelings just grew stronger.” You sat down, with eyes swimming all over the room, landing at Sam, who was now sitting down across you. It was like he had heard your thoughts, now that you noticed him in a black turtle neck cotton shirt. This was your Sam sitting close to you, but not close enough. You wanted to be confused as to why you longed for his presence, but it was crystal clear. With realization seeping into bones, you had to accept that you deserved an ordinary life, but Sam deserved better. Better than all of this mess. What if someone had come looking out for him because of you?
“I need some time away from you, Y/N, so that I can decide when we both sort out about this because I don’t want to swing back and forth if I’m honest with you. This is about me, deciding for myself.”, dissolving the encased power that had kept you both from prying ears, Sam jumped when he heard strings of notifications pinging in.
You heard the sound of your ringtone to see Sarah calling in.
“Do you want to talk to her? I, uh—meant that she called you hours ago.”,
“Nah, just talk to her. She might be calling you for a reason.”
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Warnings: 5k words, based on tfaws ( so spoilers), U.S.Agent, amateur writing.
I’m re-posting this again, because I accidentally deleted while creating masterlist. I’m writing something like this for the first time, so constructive criticism is appreciated.
You stayed seated in the restaurant nearby to Bucky’s apartment, waiting for him to go back home. You didn’t want to startle him. It had been a day or two ever since you arrived from DC, where it had taken half a day to track him down. Right now, you were hungry and gobbling down as much as you could, ignoring the weird glances as they walked down the street. It didn’t matter anyways because there were lesser people out on the streets during this time, of the night.
Staccato breaths. Fast paced steps.
Finishing your drink, you waved at him to catch his attention, as he walked passing over right by you. Placing down the money under one of the plates, you ran behind him.
“James! Bucky! Where are going? Is everything okay?”, catching his pace and kept your distance as to how he preferred it to be.
“Hey Y/N, you were not supposed to be here today.”, He somewhat seemed in middle of a dilemma rattling in his head and slowed down visibly. You didn’t want to impose him, all at once because he was in middle of something else.
“I’ll explain you once we reach the apartment. Deal?” He picked up speed nodding at you.
“Stay right here”, holding you right by your arm, he pushed you back abruptly few meters away from the front door, knocking it. Just like how he used to do, back in the day when you both were together in missions.
“Hey, what are you doing here? How was the date?”, you heard an older voice on the other side of the door. Bucky was visibly frozen, when he peeped into the little view of whatever the door opening could offer.
“It was…it was good”, he regained his composure as he saw you trying to step in, handing over the money. “Forgot that I owed you for lunch.” Walking away abruptly, to the apartment that you shared with him.
“Do you want to talk about it?”, drinking water as you leaned against the kitchen counter.
“No, it’s—it’s nothing,”- he continued glancing around the apartment, as he found pale mint green painted walls more interesting.
Okay.
“But what are you even doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be here tomorrow evening?” you turned around again to look at him.
“I–I broke up with him Bucky. I— “, “Come here, beanie.” he closed the distance in between and sweeping you into a chaste hug, as you buried your head into his shoulder wrapping your arms around him.
“So, you want to talk about it?”
No.
“I mean, Sam deserves the shield more than anyone else. I just don’t understand why he had to just give it away. He thinks he’s undeserving, I—I just don’t understand. I’ve known him for years… There is a reason why Steve gave it to him. Steve knows what it feels like to be someone who politically has to follow the government and not based on their own ideologies…”, You knew that you were rambling at this point.
“But, I just—I feel useless. Not being able to do anything. Not being able to help him out even if I want to.” You sighed as you pulled out from his embrace, holding him by his arms. “I just don’t understand Bucky.”, you felt him patting your head as you looked at him.
“Am I doing something wrong?”
“That is not up-to me to be honest. You need to take a break, lil’ bean.” He heaved a sigh as he went to the fridge for some drinks.
“I told you to stop calling me that”— “I can’t help it, it just slips out.”, Bucky would not talk about his day so you continued talking about yours, as you both were preparing to sleep.
You chuckled as you remembered Sam. “You know, I just remember the day when I met him. It was a bad day but turned better when I met him, Edna.” You were already missing him.
“Hey, I told you not to call me that.”
“AA-Anyways, coming back to the point. You used to snicker all the time, back in Wakanda right? I’m just going to say it however, whether you are going to like it or not.”
“Will you ever not let an old man sleep in peace?”
“No”, He shifts facing towards you, sighing exaggeratedly as you continue to speak.
“It was around 2014, when I was on run from S.H.E.I.L.D. I’m glad that I did. He is always selfless and has his heart on his sleeve. A-As he used to say, just slower than Steve. Our first meeting was so awkward, he looked like a cat, looking at a feather wand.”, You could feel yourself smiling.
You would never forget the look that Sam had on his face, when Steve and you accompanied an injured Nat, to his house. It took all the seriousness of the situation to not smile at his confused look right then and there.
“Barnes, I think that I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have broken up with him.”, there was a lot going on in your mind now, only to find Barnes fake snoring.
Ugh, never mind he hardly ever sleeps, he’ll fall asleep anyways.
Maybe you could have just made it clear that you were ready to be his friend again rather than blowing the entire aspect of being in contact with him out of the proportion, platonic or not. Whatever.
Things with Sarah were a bit better than with Sam, secret impromptu visits during missions when you were all injured up, taking turns to look after the kids when she was managing work from both the ends to keep the business afloat, her delicious homemade crawfish etouffee that had been passed down over generations.
She was one of the main reasons why you didn’t lose shit and were level headed all those years after the snap had happened. You owed it to her. You wanted to make sure that she didn’t drown in debts and loans anymore. The kids need not go through the same as you did, eat the stale potatoes, carrots and strawberries stored throughout the year, with no proper sleep and a routine before you were recruited by Natasha.
“Hey Happy, got a minute? I need your help.”
“Even though I never met him, he feels like a brother.” “Wow.”
Really? This now?
“James, are you ready? We can only reach on time, if we leave now. Otherwise, we’re gonna miss Sam.” Bucky kept staring at the television, with dazed eyes reflecting colors off the television dancing around him.
“Hey Buck,” you grasped him by his bicep, rubbing his arm. “We need to leave.” He nodded wiping his tears off with his thumb. You didn’t want to press in.
“I’m fine, I’m alright!”, he went to the door closing it.
You were nervous on your whole way to meet Sam, right after you made things awkward with him. Right, at this moment he needed you as a friend. You both had a really good friendship, before you two had hit off. You were the one to tell him that you liked him, you still could remember the amused expression on his face.
“New Cap is back!” There were posters of John Walker all across walls of the base as you walked towards the ramp area, to get hold of Sam. You caught him staring at the posters as he jogged d own.
“You shouldn’t have given the shield.”
Bucky, no. Not right now.
Being a spy gave you many advantages such as in this situation, keeping a straight face.
“Good to see you too, Buck.”, he went straight ahead passing by you.
Honestly, you knew that you deserved it but you had to speak up. “Sam, are you okay?” Both Bucky and you caught up.
“This is wrong”, Hmph. You knew that their banter would last forever. At this point, you were used to it. You had to talk to Sam, even his ignorance was making you angry. Instead, you went to Torres to get updated.
“Hey Torres, how are you feeling now? All better?”, you asked as he was filling out the paper-work. “OH- Hey, I’m feeling better now. It’s just a scratch”, you did not respond back, giving him a knowing smile. “Just take care and don’t be too reckless next time.”
You hesitated asking him, you only knew him for few months, but you almost had no one else to rely upon. All you did was take part in meetings, discuss if the intels were reliable or not, train for the missions and then go for it. You had stopped talking to people at this point. It was either Sam, Bucky or Torres and others, threading in for small conversations regarding missions.
“Hey Y/N, you okay?”, Huh? “Yeah-Yeah, look Torres, I just need you help. Can you look after Sam during the missions, just in case if he gets injured or something, you know?”, you stalled.
“O-Okay. but what about you? Aren’t you going to come anymore or what?”, Eh- talk about being awkward. “Um, I don’t think so.”, you trailed off looking at Bucky all suited up for the mission.
You definitely did not see this coming.
“Y/N, are you coming with us or not?”, of course, it was Bucky who asked you. You saw Sam adjusting straps of the wings attached. You didn’t want to feel sad about him ignoring you right now but he had every right to. You had to give him space.
“So, you’re coming. Okay, alright then.” You were more confused than ever before, but you caught upon. He was third wheeling now. Great. Dragging you in the quinjet by your arm, he shoved your mission backpack, with your suit in it. This idiot had it all planned. Wonderful.
“He needs us and you’re coming with me.” Eh. “I don’t think this is a good idea. I’m leaving”, You saw the quinjet door closing up. All you could do was to glare at Bucky as you stashed yourself in one of the sleeping bunkers, to change in.
Torres update you on the Flag smashers and on their connections across Eastern and Central Europe. He also mentioned that they were strong, agile and beastly. It didn’t take you time to put the pieces in together. How did they get hold of they get hold of it? Who else has access to the serum? Almost everyone you knew were dead or too old like Bucky. You were sure that you tracked down all the Hydra bases in the past five years, destroyed them and turned in almost each and every person associated in your list.
Your head was pounding already. Who would have done this? You had taken advantage of the fact that the government that had been unified all over the world after the snap and had heavily relied on the Avengers. You made sure that you striked off everyone on your checklist. You were an assassin and spy Afterall. After all the things that they did and made you to do during your first few years of your life, they deserved it. You were handled guns and knives, instead of toys and puzzles to play.
Scrambling your thoughts, you knew what to focus upon getting hold of the serum to create medicines to outbreaks and diseases, just like how you had done before. You had to contact Fury regarding this.
“How much more time left to reach the lower drop zone Torres?” “Five minutes L/N.” Alright. You got all set up and walked out to the opening, strapping in the parachute. “I’ll see y’all in the rendezvous point.”
No one had to know but you still did it because, it had been a while. Once you were sure that no one could track you down after scanning the perimeter, you spread out your arms concentrated feeling the energy grow at the center. You could feel the specks of bursts, creating a halo energy surrounding your body. It made you feel better, stronger. It had been forever, ever-since you used it months ago.
You made sure that the energy veiled you, making you invisible as you landed down as quietly as possible using the energy from the chute that you had worn.
“Where were you all this time? I thought that you were here, already”, Sam questioned. “You look all fresh and crisp.”, It was more of a statement than a question. You gave him a questioning look and proceeded forward, following him.
“I got and vibration arm. I can take them.”, “And I can fly. Who gives a shit? Wait.” You wanted to laugh at their banter. “Can you both not talk for a moment and look out instead. We’re out numbered, if they are all super soldiers.”
“There’s an eighth person. I think they have a hostage.”
All three of you started chasing down, the trucks but they were not doing anything to stop you both and Sam who was way ahead.
“James, Sam, I think this is a trap, they’re not stopping us.” You ran picking up your speed with Bucky. “They have a hostage in there, Y/N. We got to rescue them.”
“James, we are literally running right into the open fire and they’re not even bothered to stop us, don’t you get it?”, He instead picked up speed getting into the truck where the hostage was. They still did not fire back at him, What the hell had this idiot gotten himself into?
This was like taking care of a two-year-old kid, wandering off into supermarket alleys.
“James, you idiot.”
You saw him swearing and being pulled up by people. You jumped on the truck with a thud, as he was struggling in by. Why was he even struggling in the first place? You needed to have your brain shut off. You saw them being tossed around like bags of flour from one truck to another.
You saw the girl approaching you, trying to hit you with a high blow as you dodged her blow and next thing that you found was you were lying on your stomach with the girl holding you down tightly. You were getting slow, before you knew you had a split lip, with metallic taste filling your mouth.
Pulling out your ankles, you pushed your body to your front creating gap in between, aiming at the girl’s stomach. Kicking the girl, she flung right onto the man approaching, knocking him down. Charging yourself at the men holding in Sam, you blocked their high blows yet again, charging at their vulnerable side, knocking him out of breath. You were controlling yourself as you did not want to use all your strength, killing him.
“Looks like you guys could use some help.” , You heard someone yell as Sam was flung against the other super soldier holding him down. You kicked right at his abdomen knocking the guy out. Sam had amused look on his face. Bucky was holding the shield as if bounced off the target, seeing the shield once Steve held. Walker was putting up an impressive fight, against the flag smashers.
They were super soldiers; the U.S. Agent and Hoskins had no chance against them. Either of them was going to be severely injured. As Bucky was holding to one of the metal appendages, Sam signaled you to get off the vehicle, saying that he would handle Bucky. The next thing that you knew was, the U.S. Agent was being kicked off the roof. That was probably going to hurt. You had no reason to stay back, you jumped off the vehicle, with Bucky and Sam bickering all over again.
You started walking down the as John Walker joined in. He was trying to make amends to form a group. You always knew where this would lead to. You thought that you were one of those people who never judged anyone, but here you were judging the man who looked like Steve. Him legitimately telling on hacking redwing and on how was indirectly showing his authority.
No wonder it was malfunctioning, whenever the military were repairing it.
The government had had a good PR for putting up a show like this, with Battlestar as Captain America’s black side kick.
U.S Agent was good, but based on his biography, he always had been in power. Unlike Steve, who was a scrawny little kid from Brooklyn as, Bucky would describe.
Good lord, stop comparing them.
U.S Agent was not enhanced, but he was ready to throw off the shield to save his friend’s life. He was a normal person and it was impressive seeing him fight and put up. You had no right to judge him but you were waiting for him to see his real side, once he was under pressure. This was just the beginning.
“It’d be a whole lot easier, if I had Cap’s wingmen on my side.”
Him calling both Bucky and Sam as Captain’s sidekicks, infuriated you more. Neither Sam nor Bucky were Steve’s sidekick, they gave more priority to Steve and helped him out during hardest times. Something that no one would ever understand. Steve always was dead-set on what he thought was right. It was never about him being Captain America and his authority.
“It is always that last line.” Sam was obviously heart broken. He scoffed as he got down, walking away.
“You had put up an impressive fight up there, Agent. There is one thing I would like to tell you is that, we’re all still grieving over Steve and you show up here, trying to make amends. No offense, it is not gonna work like that and for Falcon and the winter soldier, were never Captain America’s sidekicks.” You got off the van as you explained, it was not their fault.
“Agent L/N, mam, that was never our intention, I understand, it’s just that it would be better if we all fought together.” He was flipping around the situation. Why wouldn’t he understand. “Thanks for the ride, Agent.”, You started walking away. You were getting late.
“So, where are we going to eat? I’m hungry.” You signaled both Bucky and Sam to look at you as you communicated through sign-language, ‘You mentioned during all your missions that redwing was acting up. I think it is because they were trying to record. Manipulating a drone to transmit signal to more than one area, would make it all glitchy. They are tracking everything as we speak Sam, how did they know what you and Bucky were taking about.’
Both nodded in agreement. “Now common guys, where are we going now? Make up your mind.”
“I don’t know Y/N, it’s Bucky’s reign tonight, so he gets to choose.”, Sam was using sign language simultaneously signaling you that you would have to make him a new one again. Sign-language was something that you used often when you were on run, after the accords happened.
“I can’t believe you are saying this but whatever, I don’t care. I want to eat in all that greasy food,” You signaled him back saying back, ‘Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care.’
“No, I want to have spicy food in Indian restaurant, that is down the block, to the second right from the airport. No arguing.”, He eyes popped up, when he was signaling back, saying, ‘I’ll help you out, let me know.’
“Apparently, I’m going to sleep now, I’m exhausted.”, all three of you strolled around looking for the trackers and bugs finding, none. Once they were seated, you placed yourself behind the equipment’s box and laid out your palm as invisible energy grew out, scanning over the quinjet again. Finding one bug on the border of the floor, too camouflaged to notice. You showed it to them and stashed it into the equipment box.
Both Bucky and Sam had puzzled look on face but didn’t say anything. They were in midst of arguing on taking back the shield and so on. You would never understand, how tough it would be on them seeing someone else representing, what Steve had represented before. Bucky mentioned that they had to meet someone before.
“We are here to see Isiah.”, You all stood Infront of the porch of a small house that reminded you of Clint’s house. Apparently, Clint’s and Sarah’s houses were they only ones you properly knew about, a quiet life like this was what you always wanted.
“Tell him the guy from the bar in Goyang is here. He’ll know what that means.”, realization hit you like a ton of bricks. He was the Captain America, who was the most feared by HYDRA. “Bucky, --”, “I’ve to do this Y/N, just don’t interrupt in between. This is really important.”, He maintained eye-contact with you for solid five seconds, letting you know that he was sure.
“Isiah?”
Bucky introduced both of us to Isiah, it was awkward to say in the least. Seeing this legend in person was more intimidating that you ever thought that it would be.
“If by met, you mean I whopped your ass, then, yeah. We heard whispers he was on the peninsula, but everyone they sent after him, never came back. So, the U.S. military dropped me behind the line to go deal with him. I took half that metal arm in that fight in Goyang, but I see he’s managed to grow it back. I just wanted to see if he got the arm back. Or if he’d come to kill me.”
“I’m not a killer anymore.”, Bucky responded in certainty.
“You think you can wake up one day and decide who you want to be? It doesn’t work like that. Well, maybe it does for folks like you.” How could he say that?
“Do you really think that he did any of this under full conscious? How can you say that?”, you were in disbelief. Isiah looked at you but did not bother to respond back. You knew that you had to keep your mouth shut, to get work done here. Bucky tried explaining out to him on how there were super soldiers all over now.
“You and me.”, Isiah scoffed. You could visibly see the man tense up, as Bucky probed in.
“I’m not gonna talk about it anymore.”, he flung the metal box as it stuck to the wall across him. You were scared to be honest. You were seeing the legend right Infront of you. The confrontation had grown larger, resulting in kicking all of you outside the house.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Isaiah? How could nobody bring him up? I asked you a question, Bucky.”, you held your head low as you three walked down the road.
“Bucky, why didn’t you tell me beforehand that we were going to meet Isiah!”, Sam asked him further to gain insight.
“So, you’re telling me that there was a black Super Soldier decades ago and nobody knew about it?”, Sam asked in disbelief, as you heard sirens blaring.
“What’s up, man?”, Sam was confused
“Is there a problem here?”, police were enquiring. You knew where this would lead to. “No, we’re just talking.”, Sam explained back.
“We’re fine.”, Bucky assured them.
“Can I see both your IDs?”, the officer said pointing out both at Sam and you.
“I don’t have ID. Why?”, the officer kept picking up on Sam and you as he approached you.
“Give him your ID so we can leave.” You’ve got to be fucking kidding me
“No.” both of us simultaneously responded back. Not today. You were tired of being treated this way. People calling out as you walked down the streets, yelling you to go back to your own country. This was the real world. You realised that privilege was a real thing because, this was one of the closest encounters that you ever had.
Next thing that you knew was Bucky was being arrested for skipping the therapy. You were drained at this point.
“Hey you okay?”, Sam asked looking concerned.
“I am, I am.”, you replied. “I’m sorry Sam. I’m really sorry that I misjudged your actions when you gave up the shield. I only looked from Steve’s and Bucky’s perspective, I’m really sorry. Having first-hand encounter up this close.” you hugged him before he could say anything, not wanting him to see you cry.
“I-I’m sorry I have not been truthful to you. I knew that Isiah was a legend, he was HYDRA’s most feared. I honestly even thought about him coming and destroying the base I was living so that, I could end up things for once and all. I’m sorry that I didn’t talk about a lot of things.”, you didn’t deserve him, you never told him about your powers all these years, it was time for you to.
“Hey- Hey, look at me. Its okay. Everything is going to be okay. I forgive you. I’m not Goody in two shoes either, I shouldn’t have avoided you.”, he said holding you by your face as warmth radiated off his skin. He shoed his toothy grin at you, but you had to tell him.
“Sam, I-I’ve to tell you something,” as he held you by your shoulder. “Look we will handle it once we get Bucky out okay?” Okay, then this had to wait.
It was John walker again. He was the one who bailed out Bucky. Honestly, seeing him everywhere was getting on your nerves. There he was back again ordering you both to come and meet him along with Bucky once the session was over.
Dr. Raynor told you to wait outside, as she ordered Sam to join in the session. You knew how it was going to be, you had couples therapy with Bucky before, it was not the greatest but he opened up to you even more. Or if that was what you thought, it’d be.
You never knew that meeting up with some random guy whom you never knew before, would irk you out so much. He again tried broach in, on how it would be better if we were a team. Not happening. Bucky, baited and Sam tried convincing him and politely told off on how they would not workout.
“A word of advice, then. Stay the hell out of my way.”, you almost smirked at him. This aspect of yours always felt sadistic to you. He was in a lot of pressure but he helped bailing out Bucky. You were grateful, at the same time.
You three walked out of the restaurant, finding out that the Flag smashers had indeed escaped. “Well, I know what we have to do. When Isaiah said ‘my people’, he meant HYDRA and I know who to meet.” Bucky sighed.
Sam disagreed,” Why don’t we bring in Wanda?”, he hadn’t known what had happened to Wanda.
“Sam, Bucky, Wanda is not in any state to help us. S-She.”, how will you reveal this to them now? It was your fault for not telling them any sooner.
We should have asked Wanda back during 2016, before Zemo was put into prison.” You were getting nervous to tell them the truth.
“Y/N, what is it?”, Sam probed in. This is not going to end well. Shit. You took them to an alley and scanned around with invisible ripples of energy radiating out, to find out nothing suspicious.
“Uh- Wanda was grieving over Vision and she used her sub-conscious to create alternate reality.”, you waited but they were more confused.
“I came to know when FBI Agent Jimmy Woo contacted me and they soon found out that she created a border using Cosmic Microwave background radiation and somehow wiped-out memories of the town existing amongst the other surrounding town.”, you didn’t want to talk about it, but you had to.
“But how did they know it was her?”, Bucky asked.
“They didn’t. I did, CMBR is the radiation that existed when the universe was first created, meaning it was from one of the infinity stones. Wanda is a direct source of this energy.”, you explained feeling more nervous.
“I straight away contacted Pietro and Strange to come over so that we could just solve it ourselves. Unfortunately, both Pietro and me got pulled in by the Hex and we somehow managed pull to get out Wanda.”, You didn’t want to tell them about Agatha, how you were pulled into 50s out of nowhere, thank god you had called Wong and Dr. Strange assisted into helping to get rid of Agatha. Wanda’s mind control was one of the most terrifying things, than that of HYDRA.
“Long story short, she’s safe now. Under Dr. Strange’s assistance she is attending therapy sessions and she has her brother on her side. I’m afraid that she cannot help us.”, you looked down at your shoes.
“Are you kidding me Y/N? You could’ve told anyone of us about this. We could’ve helped you.”, Sam told in disbelief.
“No, you can’t. Both of you can’t. it’s not possible. She was not even herself. Wanda morally stopped using mind control after Sokovia happened. She knew how it impacted us. Strange had told her that she was losing her own conscious and that she was using chaos magic.”, you sensed someone coming over. “Someone’s coming over. We need to leave now.”
“but I don’t hear anyone.”, Bucky chimed in and stopped once he heard footsteps.
“So, were going to see Zemo again.”, Sam told being all quiet again. Both needed some time, you had to wait now.
